Entry-Level Nurse Resume with No Experience (Proven Tips)

I’ve worked with hundreds of new nurses over the years—nervous students fresh out of nursing school, second-career RNs starting over, and self-doubting grads wondering if they’re “enough.” And one thing they’ve all said to me?

“I don’t know what to put on my resume. I’ve never had a nursing job before.”

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever stared at a blank Word doc wondering how to write an entry-level nurse resume with no experience, you are so not alone. And the good news? You’re in the right place. We’re going to walk through this together.

How Do You Write a Nursing Resume with No Experience?

Here’s the short version:

Use a combination or skills-based resume format to highlight your education, clinical rotations, certifications, soft skills, and volunteer work. You do have experience—it just might not be paid work yet.

Let me break that down.

Most people think a resume is just about listing jobs. Nope. Especially not for new nurses. Your resume should tell your story—why you became a nurse, what you’ve already learned, and what makes you ready now.

The Best Resume Format for New Graduate Nurses

There are three main resume formats, but for new grads, I always recommend the combination format. Here’s why:

1. Chronological

Great if you have years of experience. Not helpful if you don’t.

2. Functional

Skills-focused, but often skips work history. Some employers see this as hiding gaps.

✅ 3. Combination (Best Option)

Blends skills and education at the top, then lists clinical or volunteer experience. ATS-friendly, easy to scan, and perfect for entry-level nurses.

What Should I Include in an Entry-Level Nurse Resume?

Here’s a checklist of what to include:

• Contact Info (Email, Phone, City/State)
• Resume Objective (1–2 lines max)
• Skills (Soft and Hard)
• Clinical Rotations
• Certifications (BLS, ACLS, etc.)
• Volunteer Work
• Education (Degree + Graduation Date)
• Optional: Relevant coursework, GPA (if strong), language skills

Let’s dive into each part.

Resume Objective for Entry-Level Nurse

Your resume objective is the first impression. Here’s a simple formula:

“[Adjective] nursing graduate with [certification or strength] looking to bring [value] to [type of unit/facility].”

Example:

“Compassionate nursing graduate with BLS and ACLS certifications, seeking to apply clinical training and strong interpersonal skills in a fast-paced med-surg unit.”

Skills for Nursing Student Resume

You might think you don’t have enough skills—but you do. Think beyond the classroom:

Hard Skills:

• Vital signs monitoring
• Wound care
• IV setup
• Patient charting (EMR)
• Infection control

Soft Skills:

• Compassion
• Time management
• Team collaboration
• Conflict resolution
• Attention to detail

“When I helped Shania—a quiet, first-gen nursing grad—build her resume, we listed her experience volunteering at a senior center. Her empathy and ability to communicate with elders became a big selling point in her interviews.”

How to List Clinical Rotations on a Resume

This is your real-world experience. Treat it like gold.

Example Section:

Clinical Experience
Student Nurse, Sunrise Medical Center – Spring 2025

• Completed 160 clinical hours in telemetry and med-surg
• Supported wound care and catheter insertion under RN supervision
• Documented patient progress in EPIC EHR
• Delivered patient education with 90% patient satisfaction (surveyed by preceptor)

Even if you only had a few rotations, list the ones most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

What About Volunteer Work or Internships?

YES, include it! Especially if it’s healthcare-related.

Example:

Volunteer Experience
Health Educator – Free Clinic Downtown, Phoenix, AZ

• Led weekly blood pressure screenings for underserved populations
• Educated 50+ community members on diabetes prevention and nutrition

Don’t underestimate unpaid work. It shows initiative, commitment, and soft skills—all things hiring managers love.

Entry-Level Nurse Resume Example

Taylor Nguyen, RN
Austin, TX | (512) 555-0182 | taylor.rn@email.com

Objective:
Energetic and detail-oriented BSN graduate seeking an entry-level RN position to provide exceptional patient care and continue growing clinical skills in a supportive team environment.

Skills:

• BLS Certified
• Patient assessment
• EMR systems (Cerner)
• Team-based care
• Excellent bedside manner

Clinical Experience:
Student Nurse – Seton Medical Center (Jan 2025 – May 2025)

• Completed 180+ hours in medical-surgical unit
• Assisted with medication administration and care plans
• Worked closely with RNs during patient rounds and discharges

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – University of Texas at Austin, 2025

Certifications:
BLS, ACLS (American Heart Association)

Volunteer Work:
Red Cross Blood Drive Assistant – Austin, TX

• Helped register over 100 donors and provided post-donation care

How to Make Your Nursing Resume ATS-Friendly

ATS = Applicant Tracking System. Most hospitals use them.

Tips to beat the bots:

• Use standard section headings: “Skills,” “Education,” “Experience”
• Include keywords from the job post (e.g., “wound care,” “discharge planning”)
• Avoid tables, graphics, or columns
• Save your resume as a PDF unless asked otherwise

Want help with that? Try BestResumeCreator.com for free nurse resume templates built for ATS.

Common Mistakes New Nurses Make on Their Resume

• Leaving off clinicals (they count!)
• Not tailoring each resume to the job description
• Overstuffing soft skills with no examples
• Using casual email addresses (stick with firstname.lastname@gmail)
• Forgetting to proofread

“One client listed their email as ‘nursequeenxo@…’ and wondered why no one responded. We changed it, updated her summary—and she had interviews the next week.”

Do I Need a Cover Letter If I Have No Experience?

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: A cover letter lets you explain why you chose nursing, why this facility matters to you, and how you’re ready to grow.

Keep it short (3 paragraphs), specific, and passionate. Not generic.

“I may be new to nursing, but I bring deep compassion, fresh training, and an unstoppable drive to serve.” That sentence got one of my clients hired.

FAQs

Q: Can I still get hired if I have no professional experience?
A: Absolutely! Many employers look at your potential, not just your past jobs.

Q: What should I include in an entry-level nurse resume?
A: Your objective, clinicals, education, certifications, skills, and volunteer work.

Q: How do I make my nursing resume stand out as a fresher?
A: Tell your story, focus on results (even during clinicals), and keep the format clean.

Q: Should I include my GPA or coursework?
A: If it’s strong (above 3.5) or the job is academic-focused—yes. Otherwise, it’s optional.

Q: Is it okay to use a resume template?
A: Totally. Just make sure it’s ATS-friendly and not overly fancy.

Q: How Do You Write a Resume With No Experience?

A: Use a skills-based or combination format. Focus on clinical rotations, certifications, soft skills, and volunteer work. Be specific. Be honest. And tailor your resume to the job posting.

Final Thoughts from a Career Coach Who’s Been There

You’re not behind. You’re not underqualified. You’re just getting started.

Your resume isn’t about proving perfection—it’s about sharing your promise. That spark that made you choose nursing? It matters more than years on a job.

So be honest. Be human. Show up with heart. That’s what great nurses—and great resumes—are made of.

Want a head start? Build your free nursing resume Today. It’s clean, simple, and built to help you feel confident applying. You’ve got this. 💙